Apparatus for guiding and feeding filamentary material

ABSTRACT

A vertically reciprocal carriage for guiding filamentary material to a knitting machine is provided with reset fingers so that filamentary material may be automatically repositioned so as to extend through a trip mechanism. The trip mechanism is responsive to snags or tension in the filamentary material to stop the knitting machine.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,863,466

Barone Feb. 4, 1975 [54] APPARATUS FOR GUIDING AND FEEDING 3,571,680 2/1971 Tellerman 66/163 UX FILAMENTARY MATERIAL 3,713,308 1/1973 Lev n 3,726,113 4/1973 Levin et al 66/163 [75] Inventor: Robert A. Barone, Holland, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Automated Textile Equipment Industries Incorporated, Primary Examiner-Ronald Feldbaum Philadelphia, Pa.

[22] Filed: May 7, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 357,992 [57] ABSTRACT A vertically reciprocal carriage for guiding filamentary [52] [1.5. Cl. 66/163 material to a knitting machine is provided with reset [51] Int. Cl D041) 35/12 fingers so that filamentary material may be automatil l Field Of Search 5 cally repositioned so as to extend through a trip mech- 66/ anism. The trip mechanism is responsive to snags or tension in the filamentary material to stop the knitting [56] References Cited machine.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,654,238 10/1953 Heyne 66/163 11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures m to Q n 7 v L 44 1 l a 60 i 48 9 we i Z 2 22 a 4.24 j \55 40 b ,53 3W2; 62

SHEET 3 [IF 4 PATENTEBFEB M975 PATENIEUFEB 41915 W I 3.863.466

SHEUUUF 4 APPARATUS FOR GUIDING AND FEEDING FILAMENTARY MATERIAL This invention is directed to apparatus for feeding and guiding filamentary material such as yarn, threads, and the like, to a processing machine and in particular a knitting machine. The filamentary material is fed through a trip mechanism adapted to stop the knitting machine if the filamentary material is broken or is subjected to excess tension. The trip mechanism includes switches. After the snag or tension in the filamentary material is repaired or adjusted, the filamentary material must be fed by hand through the trip mechanism or comparable device.

The apparatus of the present invention is associated with the trip mechanism in a manner so as to automatically guide and reposition the filamentary material through the trip mechanism. Thus, the repositioning of the filamentary material is accomplished in an automatic manner which is faster and without the need of personnel and with less down time for the processing machine. Circuitry, responsive to a tension controlled switch, stops the processing machine and is activated to move a carriage upwardly. In the upper position of the carriage, reset members on the carriage guide the filamentary material to a position wherein it will again be retained by the trip mechanism and also reset the trip mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel apparatus for automatically guiding and repositioning filamentary material with respect to a tension responsive trip mechanism.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic device for use in connection with processing machines such as knitting machines.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a guiding and repositioning device for use with a processing machine in a manner whereby filamentary material can be repositioned by the device as opposed to being done by hand.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is an end elevation view of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the trip mechanism with the filamentary material associated therewith in a normal operating manner.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the structure shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the elements in the position which they assume when the filamentary material has been excessively tensioned and is being reset.

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of the circuitry for driving the knitting machine.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 apparatus in accordance with the present invention designated generally as 10. The apparatus 10 includes a frame having sides 12 and 14. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the side frames 12 and 14 are connected together by a transverse beam 16.

A carriage 18 is supported for vertical reciprocatory movement by the frame. The carriage 18 carries a transversely disposed plate 20. Rollers 22 and 24 are supported at one end of the plate 20. Comparable rollers are supported at the other end of the plate. See FIGS. 1 and 2. The rollers 22 and 24 are guided by slot 26. Slot 26 is defined by upright guides 28 and 30 forming a part of side frame 12. The comparable guides 32 and 34 are supported by side frame 14.

The carriage I8 is raised and lowered by an elevating mechanism 36 on one side of the machine and a mating cooperative elevating mechanism 38 on the other side of the machine. The mechanisms 36 and 38 are identical. Accordingly, only mechanism 36 will be described in detail.

A bracket 40 is connected to the plate 20 at the terminal end thereof on the opposite side of the guides 28 and 30. See FIG. 2. The bracket 40 is removably secured by screws, bolts, or the like, to an endless chain 42. Chain 42 extends around an upper sprocket 44 and a lower sprocket 46. Sprockets 44 and 46 are idler sprockets.

The chain 42 is interconnected with an endless cable 50 by means ofa coupling member 48. See FIG. 1. The cable 50 extends around an idler pulley 52 and an idler pulley 54. The sprockets 44, 46, and the pulleys 52, 54 are supported by the side frame I2.

A cylinder 56 is supported by the side frame 12. Cable 50 extends through the cylinder 56. Appropriate seals are provided at opposite ends of the cylinder. A piston 58 is connected to the cable 50 within the cylinder 56. Conduits 60 and 62 are connected to the cylinder 56 for introducing a motivie fluid, such as pressurized air into the cylinder, to cause the piston 58 to move upwardly or downwardly. As the piston 58 moves upwardly, the carriage I8 is moved upwardly and vice versa.

The carriage 18 is provided with a plurality of eyelets or other guides 64 through which filamentary material may extend. A plurality of creels is supported by a stationary surface below the carriage 18. A creel 66 is provided for each of the eyelets 64. Filamentary material 68 from the creel 66 extend upwardly through the eyelet 64. See FIGS. 1 and 2.

A reset member 70 is provided for each eyelet 64 on the carriage 18. As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the reset members 70 are disposed to one side of their associated eyelet 64 and project beyond the edge of the carriage as shown more clearly in FIG. 2. The reset members 70 are flexible cantilever members. It is preferred to use flexible spring steel for the reset members 70 although other materials could be utilized.

From the eyelets 64, each filamentary material 68 extends upwardly and through a trip mechanism 72 from which it extends to the processing machine such as the knitting machine.

The specific details of the trip mechanism 72 form no part of the present invention. Mechanism 72 includes a housing containing switches to be described hereinafter. The housing 74 supports a generally inverted V- shaped guard having upwardly inclined converging legs 76 and 78. Support fingers 80, 82 and 84 are pivotably supported by the housing 74 for supporting the filamentary material 68 on the upper surface. A U-shaped member 86 is pivotably supported by the housing 74 and has its legs positioned so that support finger 84 is therebetween as shown in FIG. 3.

In the filamentary material 68 becomes snagged, the tension in the filamentary material will cause the support fingers 80, 82 and 84 to pivot from the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the position shown in FIG. 5. This immediately stops the knitting machine. If the filamentary material 68 breaks, this will permit the U- shaped member 86 to pivot downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. 5. This also will stop the knitting machine. Thus, the U- shaped member 86 rests on the filamentary material and is supported thereby. Switches or contacts are provided within the housing 74 and are responsive to the pivotal movement of the support fingers 80-84 and the U-shaped member 86.

As will be described hereinafter in connection with electrical circuitry, air will be introduced into the cylinder 56 by way of conduit 62 to move the piston 58 to its uppermost position. As pointed out above, the carriage 18 will be moved upwardly to its uppermost position wherein it will be supporting the filamentary material 68 in a manner so that it extends between the legs 76 and 78 as shown in FIG. 5. As the carriage 18 moves upwardly, each of the reset members 70 will engage the inclined surface on leg 78, will be flexed thereby, and will engage the fingers 80-84 to cause them to pivot from the position shown in FIG. to the reset position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As a result thereof, the knitting machine will again commence to process the filamentary material 68.

The circuitry for effecting the above operations is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that conductors 90 and 92 are coupled across a source of alternating current 88. Conductor 90 is connected to a fuse 93 and the on-off switch 94. Normally open relay contacts 96-1 in series with time delay relay 98 are coupled across the conductors 90 and 92. A pilot light 100 is in parallel with the time delay relay 98 to indicate when contacts 96-1 are closed.

Switch 98-1, controlled by time delay relay 98, is in series with a solenoid 104. The solenoid 104 controls a flow valve for motor fluid to the cylinder 56. Normally open relay contacts 118-2 are in parallel with switch 98-1. Switch 98-2 is in series with relay coil 110 across the conductors 90 and 92.

Normally open relay contacts 110-1, normally closed relay contacts 110-2, and time delay relay 120 are in series coupled across conductors 90 and 92. Relay c contacts 110-1 and 110-2 are controlled by relay coil 110. Relay c contacts 118-1 are in parallel with contacts 110-1. Switch 120-1 and relay coil 118 are in parallel with the contacts 110-2. Relay c contacts 118-1 are controlled by relay coil 118. Switch 120-l is controlled by the time delay relay 120.

Normally open relay contacts 110-3, normally closed contacts 110-4, and time delay relay 128 are coupled in series across the conductors 90 and 92. Normally open contacts 130-1 are in parallel with contacts 110-3. Switch 128-1 and relay coil 130 are in parallel with the contacts 110-4. Contacts 130-1 are controlled by coil 130. Switch 128-1 is controlled by the time delay relay 128. A pilot light 136 is coupled across the conductors 90 and 92 to indicate when the circuit is energized.

The primary coil 138 of a transformer is coupled across the conductors 90 and 92 beyond switch 94 as illustrated in FIG. 6. A secondary coil 140 of the transformer is coupled across parallel conductors 144 and 146. Conductor 144 is connected to a fuse 142 in series with a coil 140. A bank of parallel switches 148 are coupled across the conductors 144 and 146 beyond the relay coil 96. The number of switches 148 corresponds to the number of filamentary materials 68. The switches 148 are each physically located in a separate one of the housings 74.

In FIG. 7, there is shown a portion of the motor circuit for the knitting machine. Across conductors there is provided in series a start switch 152, a stop switch 154, normally closed contacts 96-2 and 130-2, and the motor 162. The normally closed contacts 96-2 are controlled by the relay coil 96. The normally closed contacts 130-2 are controlled by the relay coil 130.

When switch 94 is closed, the pilot light 136 indicates that the power is on. When any of the switches 148 is closed by fingers -84 moving from the position in FIG. 4 to the position in FIG. 5, relay 96 is energized. When relay 96 is energized, it opens contacts 96-2 which automatically stops motor 162 and also closes contacts 96-1.

When contacts 96-1 are closed, the time delay relay 98 is energized and pilot light is lit to indicate trouble. After the time delay relay 98 times out, it closes switch 98-1 to energize the solenoid 104. When solenoid 104 is energized, it controls a valve so that motor fluid is introduced into the cylinder 56 by way of conduit 62 to thereby move piston 58 in carriage 18 upwardly to an elevation slightly higher than the elevation of mechanism 72. Time delay relay 98, after it times out, also closes switch 98-2 to energize relay coil 110.

When the relay is energized, it closes contacts 110-1 and 110-3 while opening contacts 110-2 and 110-4. Relay coils 118 and 130 are now energized. Relay. 118 closes contacts 118-1 while relay coil 130 closes contacts 130-1. Relay 118 will remain energized until switch -l is opened. Relay will remain energized until switch 128-l is opened.

When relay 130 was energized, it opened the normally closed contacts 130-2 to prevent the motor 162 from being operated when contacts 96-2 close. When relay 118 was energized; it closed contacts 118-2 so as to latch the solenoid 104 in the position described above subsequent to opening of switch 98-1. When the fingers 80-84 are moved to the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. 4, the associated switches 148 are opened which deenergizes relay 96. When relay 96 is deenergized, contacts 96-1 are opened and contacts 96-2 are closed.

When contacts 96-1 are opened, the time delay relay 98 is deenergized which opens switches 98-1 and 98-2. When switch 98-2 is opened, relay 110 is deenergized. When coil 110 is deenergized, contacts 110-1 and 110-3 are opened while contacts 110-2 and 110-4 are closed. The closing of contacts 110-2 energizes the time delay relay 120 and after it times out switch 120-1 is opened to deenergize relay 118.

When relay 110 was deenergized, it also opened contacts 110-3 and closed contacts 110-4. When contacts 110-4 were closed, the time delay relay 128 was energized. When the time delay relay 128 times out, switch 128-1 is opened to deenergize relay 130. When relay 130 is deenergized, contacts 130-2 are closed and contacts 130-1 are opened. Deenergization of relay 1 18 opened contacts 118-1 and 118-2.

When contacts 118-2 were opened, the solenoid 104 was deenergized to reverse the introduction of motor fluid so that piston 58 descends with the carriage 18. Since both contacts 96-2 and 130-2 are now closed, the motor 162 is started again to operate the knitting machine.

A suitable timing sequence for the above described circuitry may be as follows. The time delay relay 98 times out after three seconds. When solenoid 104 is energized, it takes approximately 1 second to cause the carriage 18 to reciprocate to its uppermost position. The carriage 18 remains in its uppermost position with a time dwell of about 2 seconds which is the time delay period of time delay relay 120. When contacts 118-2 are opened by the relay 118, the solenoid 104 causes the carriage 18 to descend in about 1 second. Thereafter, there is about a 2 second dwell period before the motor 162 is started. The last mentioned 2 second dwell is the time delay period of the time delay relay 128. Thus, from the time that one of the switches 148 was opened due to excess tension on the filamentary material 68, the trip mechanism 72 was reset with the filamentary material guided therethrough within about 9 to 10 seconds.

The trip mechanism 72, as described above, includes the U-shaped member 86 responsive to the absence of the filamentary material 68. Member 86 forms no part of the present invention. Hence, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate or describe how such member 86 stops the motor 162.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for use with a machine for processing filamentary material comprising a tension trip mechanism having at least one finger pivotable from an operative position to an inoperative position in response to excess tension of filamentary material, a carriage guided for movement from an inoperative position remote from said trip mechanism to an operative position adjacent said trip mechanism, said carriage having a guide for filamentary material which is to be guided by said trip mechanism finger before extending to a processing machine, circuitry associated with said carriage and responsive to actuation of said trip mechanism finger to its inoperative position for causing said carriage to move upwardly from its inoperative position to its operative position and then return to its inoperative position, said carriage including means thereon for resetting said trip mechanism when the carriage is in its operative position by effecting pivotable movement of said finger to its operative position.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes an elevating mechanism, said elevating mechanism including a fluid motor coupled to said carriage for moving the carriage between its operative and inoperative positions.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reset means on the carriage includes a member which projects beyond the carriage to a position wherein it may pivot the finger in said opposite direction while the carriage is in its operative position.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said reset means on the carriage is a flexible member capable of flexing in a horizontal direction and returning to its original position.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes a time delay device before the carriage is moved and a time delay device for retaining the carriage in its operative position for a dwell period.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carriage has a plurality of guides for the filamentary materials, a plurality of cradles supported below the carriage in the inoperative position of the carriage, said carriage having a discrete resetting means for each guide on the carriage, and said carriage being mounted for reciprocating so that it is elevated from its inoperative position to its operative position, said trip mechanism being supported at an elevation which is above the elevation of the inoperative position of the carriage. Y

7. Apparatus for guiding and repositioning filamentary material comprising a mechanism which guides filamentary material and is tripped due to excess tension of the filamentary material, a carriage guide for movement from an inoperative position to an operative position, said carriage being adjacent said mechanism in the operative position of the carriage, said carriage having a guide thereon for filamentary material to be guided by the trip mechanism before extending to a machine which consumes or acts on the filamentary material, circuitry responsive to activation of said trip mechanism by excess tension of filamentary material for causing said carriage to move from its inoperative position to its operative position and then return to its inoperative position, said circuitry including time delay means for providing a dwell period for the carriage at its operative position, said carriage including a reset means thereon for resetting the trip mechanism while the carriage is in its operative position, said reset means including a flexible member supported by the carriage and positioned for contact with said trip mechanism in the operative position of the carriage.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said reset means includes at least one member projecting in cantilever from the carriage beyond the periphery of the carriage, the free end of said reset member being movable in a horizontal direction, said carriage being guided for vertical reciprocatory movement, and said circuitry including an elevating mechanism having a fluid motor coupled to said carriage for moving the carriage.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said circuitry includes time delay means for providing a dwell period before the carriage moves from its inoperative position.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including stationary means guiding said carriage for vertical reciprocation between its operative and inoperative positions, said carriage being below the elevation of said trip mechanism in the inoperative position of said carriage.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including a trip mechanism having a pivotable support finger and an upwardly inclined guard adjacent said finger, said flexible member being flexed by said inclined guard when said flexible member resets said finger by pivoting the same upwardly. 

1. Apparatus for use with a machine for processing filamentary material comprising a tension trip mechanism having at least one finger pivotable from an operative position to an inoperative position in response to excess tension of filamentary material, a carriage guided for movement from an inoperative position remote from said trip mechanism to an operative position adjacent said trip mechanism, said carriage having a guide for filamentary material which is to be guided by said trip mechanism finger before extending to a processing machine, circuitry associated with said carriage and responsive to actuation of said trip mechanism finger to its inoperative position for causing said carriage to move upwardly from its inoperative position to its operative position and then return to its inoperative position, said carriage including means thereon for resetting said trip mechanism when the carriage is in its operative position by effecting pivotable movement of said finger to its operative position.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes an elevating mechanism, said elevating mechanism including a fluid motor coupled to said carriage for moving the carriage between its operative and inoperative positions.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reset means on the carriage includes a member which projects beyond the carriage to a position wherein it may pivot the finger in said opposite direction while the carriage is in its operative position.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said reset means on the carriage is a flexible member capable of flexing in a horizontal direction and returning to its original position.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said circuitry includes a time delay device before the carriage is moved and a time delay device for retaining the carriage in its operative position for a dwell period.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said carriage has a plurality of guides for the filamentary materials, a plurality of cradles supported below the carriage in the inoperative position of the carriage, said carriage having a discrete resetting means for each guide on the carriage, and said carriage being mounted for reciprocating so that it is elevated from its inoperative position to its operative position, said trip mechanism being supported at an elevation which is above the elevation of the inoperative position of the carriage.
 7. Apparatus for guiding and repositioning filamentary material comprising a mechanism which guides filamentary material and is tripped due to excess tension of the filamentary material, a carriage guide for movement from an inoperative position to an operative position, said carriage being adjacent said mechanism in the operative position of the carriage, said carriage having a guide thereon for filamentary material to be guided by the trip mechanism before extending to a machine which consumes or acts on the filamentary material, circuitry responsive to activation of said trip mechanism by excess tension of filamentary material for causing said carriage to move from its inoperative position to its operative position and then return to its inoperative position, said circuitry including time delay means for providing a dwell period for the carriage at its operative position, said carriage including a reset means thereon for resetting the trip mechanism while the carriage is in its operative position, said reset means including a flexible member supported by the carriage and positioned for contact with said trip mechanism in the operative position of the carriage.
 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said reset means includes at least one member projecting in cantilever from the carriage beyond the periphery of the carriage, The free end of said reset member being movable in a horizontal direction, said carriage being guided for vertical reciprocatory movement, and said circuitry including an elevating mechanism having a fluid motor coupled to said carriage for moving the carriage.
 9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said circuitry includes time delay means for providing a dwell period before the carriage moves from its inoperative position.
 10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including stationary means guiding said carriage for vertical reciprocation between its operative and inoperative positions, said carriage being below the elevation of said trip mechanism in the inoperative position of said carriage.
 11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 including a trip mechanism having a pivotable support finger and an upwardly inclined guard adjacent said finger, said flexible member being flexed by said inclined guard when said flexible member resets said finger by pivoting the same upwardly. 